Engraved Model 57s....

[SuperMan]

I've shot and collected S&W .41 Magnums since the early 1970s. Of the thousands of guns I have seen only a handful however have been factory engraved. In comparison, I've seen lots of 29s and 27s factory engraved.

Recently two Model 57 4" engraved guns sold on GunBroker, one blue and one nickel. I have seen four other blue 4" engraved guns and one nickel. Have also seen one or two 6" and one 8 3/8", both of which were blue.

One interesting thing I have noted is that ALL the engraved 57s I've seen had serial numbers in the 1980 range except I believe one that was in the 1974 range and thinking back can't remember if that was a factory engraved gun or not.

So a question to all of you...have you seen many Class A engraved 57s and do you recall anything about when they were made. I am sure there had to be some 60s vintage guns but I have never seen or heard of one.

Thanks...Bob

 

[Doc44]

Most of the engraved Model 57s I have seen were contract-engraved in Italy in the late 70s to early 80s. I haven't seen that many, but I haven't been looking for them. I know of one that was Class A factory engraved in 64-65 by Russ Smith for a Chief of Police. I first saw it on GB several years ago and was unsuccessful in purchasing it. I have seen it a couple of times at OGCA and at the show it Tulsa, but the asking price is too high.

Bill

 

[SuperMan]

Thank you Bill... Have you seen the two guns that recently sold on GunBroker....the Seller calls them Class B. I can not remember the difference between the classes as it has been a long time since I have seen a S&W catalog that had the three classes of engraving portrayed.

Was just wondering what the differences are.

Thanks..Bob

 

[Doc44]

Class A is full coverage, B a little less, and C even less. I did not see the two on GB recently.

Bill

 

[jjbrewst1]

Bill

Here are the Links...Sold By a Fellow SWCA Member On GB...

ENGRAVED 1980 S&W MDL 57 4" BLUE 41 MAG NO RESERVE : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

ENGRAVED 1980 S&W MDL 57 4" NICKEL 41 MAG NO RES : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[Doc44]

Thanks Jim. Each of those Model 57s is contract-engraved in Italy. Each certainly sold for a premium price.

Bill

 

[SuperMan]

So would those two be Class A or B?

Does anyone know...did S&W ship batches of guns to Italy to be engraved or single pieces? It would seem that since most of the engraved 57s were all made during a short time period a batch were shipped at once. I wonder if there is any record at the factory as to how many 57s were engraved. When lettered the guns were "shipped" in 1979-1980 but I wonder when they were made and how long they were out of the country.

Anyone have any information or an educated guess?

...as to the price of those two guns...the last engraved 57s I saw for sale were from George Wimmer. He had them priced at $2995 "ON SALE" for $2495. At the time the realistic price was in the $1900 area. That said, the last Class A engraved 29 I saw a year or so ago brought $2500.

Thanks...Bob

 

[Doc44]

Bob...the coverage on the Model 57s looks like Class A, but the factory letter on the blue one states it is Class B (although the letter is hard to read). S&W sent Model 29s, 57s, 629s, and other models to Italy for engraving. The serial numbers of these guns indicate they were mostly made in the 79-81 time period and most likely shipped in small batches for engraving. At the time these guns were done, S&W had two engravers on staff, namely, Russ Smith who had been there since the mid-1950s and Paul Piquette who started there in the late 1970s.

I imagine the turnaround time for the engraving in Italy was relatively short because most of the guns are engraved in a very similar pattern. I don't have any idea how many were actually engraved, but the engraved parts had to be finished in bright blue or nickel for the 29s and 57s and then assembled into a finished revolver. The stainless revolvers only had to be assembled.

Bill

 

[SuperMan]

Thanks so much....Bob

 

[THREEDFLYER]

I know I am resurrecting an old thread, but I have a 4" M57 with Class A engraving on the way and it letters as also being shipped in 1980.
Question for you guys is what would the retail selling price have been on such a piece when it was sold in 1980?? I am trying to figure out what the premium for the engraving would have cost in addition to the base price of the revolver.

 

[rburg]

The premium might be in a Shooters Bible or such. At least if you're asking what S&W got. When you ask such a question and try to relate it to the present day, you run into a problem. The 1980 time frame was one of very high inflation where you could get 14% on your CDs. It doesn't take long for the value of the dollar to be cut in half, or a tangible item to cost double.

I have a 1980 vintage M57 that was factory engraved. I bought it about 1998 and paid $2000 for it. It had somehow lost its GA targets and needed the elephant ivory grips it was wearing. Really nice with a very visible grain. Its blue and 4". As stated, there is no premium for it bring a 41 instead of a 44. Both are the same frame and require the same amount of work. I've tried to sell it a few times but I'm asking too much.

Claiming a gun is factory engraved requires a letter from Roy. Anything else is buying the story.

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Hey Dick thanks for the post mine is definitely factory engraved I do have a letter from Roy that's coming with it. I figure I have $2000 invested I traded a rifle I had for it and I had about $2000 into that rifle I feel like I got a pretty good deal. It also includes the original presentation box he did not have the tools or paperwork but I have all of that in my files I can put in the box.

I'll post some better photos once I have it in my possession.

 

[SuperMan]

In 1980 I was a dealer and never remember seeing these engraved guns listed anywhere for sale. Since not many were made I wonder if only larger distributors had them available...

I bought a blue and a nickel Class A 57s about 10 years ago... Just sold the blue one a few months ago. It was unfired but came with only the original presentation case which was still shrink wrapped. It brought $3K.

I still have the nickel that is complete with the original shipping container, inner box, tools and factory letter. No plans on selling it any time soon...

Bob

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Here are photos of my recently acquired Engraved M57

Some photos of my engraved M57

 

[SuperMan]

Very nice gun...

Since all the ones I have seen were made in the 1979/80 area I wonder if that was just a single contract of guns that S&W had done in Italy.... I've seen quite a few 27s and 29s that had the same style engraving and wonder if they were all made in that time period also...

Bob

 

[THREEDFLYER]

Would certainly be interested to learn just how many of each model were sent over to Italy for engraving.....and if they were differences in the engraved pattern or?? Maybe a question I will pose to Roy.